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Xavier Tilliette Constitution

 

DRAFT XAVIER TILLIETTE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE CONSTITUTION

             written by Amanda HAYES, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland

1. NAME AND OBJECTIVES

1.1 The name of the Centre shall be The Xavier Tilliette International Institute for Theology, Philosophy and Science.
1.2 The Institute shall be affiliated to any other organisation as may be deem desirable from time to time by the Academic Council.
1.3 The objects of the Institute is to conduct philosophical and theological research. The Institute may also undertake such other research or other academic activities as might be considered desirable by the Academic Council from time to time.

2. ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

The Institutes academic structure shall be sub-divided as follows:-
2.1 The Academic Council; and
2.2 The Academic Board

3. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
3.1 The following shall constitute the Academic Council:-

  • Card. Prof. Dr. Walter Kasper, Theologische Fakultät, Universität Tübingen, Germany; President of the Academic Council; President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and President of the Pontifical Commission for religious relations with the Jews;
  • [         ] Vice President of the Academic Council;
  • Antonio Russo, Secretary of the Academic Council;
    and a maximum of twenty eight (28) leading academics as set out in the register of members

3.2 Members of the Academic Council shall be appointed for life but shall the right to resign at any time by giving one month’s written notice to the Secretary.

4. APPOINTMENT TO THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
4.1 The appointment of members to the first Academic Council shall be made with the joint approval of Card. Walter Kasper-President and Fr. Xavier Tilliette.
4.2 All further appointments to the Academic Council shall be by two third majority approval of the Academic Council.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
5.1 The Academic Council is charged with the responsibility for:-
5.1.1 The supervision and final approval of all scientific policy as proposed by the Academic Board as set out in clause 9.1 below. 
5.1.2 The admission of members of the Academic Board in accordance with the terms of clause 8 below and the all future members of the Academic Council subject to the terms of clause 4.2 above.

6. MEETINGS OF THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
6.1 The Academic Council shall meet on at least one occasion in the year and as and when required to carry out its rights and duties as set out in clause 5 above. One third of the Members thereof shall form a quorum.
6.2 Motions that the meetings of the Academic Council shall be passed by a simple majority. The President shall have a casting vote in addition to his own vote and his decision on a Point of Order shall be final.
6.3 Member shall be entitled to vote on all motions in person, by post or by email (electronically).Postal and electronic votes must be received by the Secretary  five days before the relevant meeting.

7. ACADEMIC BOARD
7.1 The Academic Board shall consist of the following officers and categories of members:-

  • Mons. Francesco Coccopalmerio, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Vatican City- President of the Academic Board
  • [         ] - Vice President
  • Ordinary Members as set out in the register of members:
  • Honorary Members
    that is those only who have rendered exceptional service to the Institute, or those distinguished or who hold influential positions of public service and who would render the Membership an asset to the Institute, shall be elected for life:
  • Post Graduate Student Members
    as set out in the register of members:

7.2 The Member shall cease to be a Member by giving written notice to the Secretary.

8. ADMISSION OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
8.1 The appointment of officers and members to the first Academic Board shall be made with the joint approval of Card. Walter Kasper-President and Fr. Xavier Tilliette.
8.2 The election of all Ordinary Members, Honorary Members and Post Graduate Student Members shall be in the sole hands of the Academic Council. Voting shall be by secret ballot and by simple majority.
8.3 Each candidate for admission to the Academic Board shall be posted to the members of the Academic Council by the secretary of theAcademic Council atleast two weeks prior to the meeting at which such applications are to be considered together with the names of the Proposer and Seconder in each case.

9. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
9.1 Scientific Policy
The Academic Board shall be responsible for formulating Institutes scientific policy on the future development and direction of the Institute in all its scientific activities and for putting forward proposals in relation thereto for the final approval of the Academic Council. For the avoidance of doubt no policy shall be implemented  without the final written approval of the Academic Council.
9.2 Voting Rights
9.2.1 Ordinary Members shall have the right to attend and vote at all General Meetings of the Institute. The new Ordinary Member will only be entitled to vote after a period of six months has elapsed from the time he became a Member. In addition Ordinary Members may propose new members and officers for the Management Committee, nominate and be nominated for office or membership of the Management Committee subject to the right of veto of the Academic Council. For the avoidance of doubt no Ordinary Member can simultaneously hold both an office or membership of the Management Committee and the Academic Board. 
9.3 Honorary Members shall have the right to attend all General Meetings of the Institute.
9.4 Student Members shall have the right to attend all General Meetings of the Institute.

10. MEETINGS OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
10.1 The Academic Board shall meet on at least one occasion in the year and as and when required to carry out its rights and duties as set out in clause 9 above. One third of the Members thereof shall form a quorum.
10.2 Motions that the meetings of the Academic Board shall be passed by a simple majority. The President shall have a casting vote in addition to his own vote and his decision on a Point of Order shall be final.
10.3 Member shall be entitled to vote on all motions in person, by post or by email (electronically). Postal and electronic votes must be received by the Secretary five days before the relevant meeting.

11. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
11.1 Description
11.1.1 The Management Committee shall hold office for a period of five years. For the avoidance of doubt the first Management Committee shall consist of :

  • Francesco Coccopalmerio, Pontifical Gregorian University; President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative texts, Vatican City, President
  • Antonio Russo,  University of Trieste, Italy - General Secretary
  • Simone Stancampiano,  University of Roma III, Italy – Treasurer
  • Amanda Hayes, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland – Vice-President
  • Santiago Sia, Milltown Institute, Ireland - Vice-President
  • David Grumett, University of Exter, England - Member
  • Johan Ickx, Apostolic Penitentiary, Vatican City – Member
  • Eric Weislogel, University of Pennsylvania, USA -Member
  • Stefano Visintin, Dean of Theology Faculty, Pontificio Ateneo di Sant’Anselmo, Rome – Member
  • Margaret Yee, University of Oxford - Member

11.1.2 The Management Committee is charged with responsibility for the day to day management and affairs of the Institute such as but not limited to organising conferences, meetings and workshops and has the rights and duties set out in these rules. The affairs of the Institute, in all matters not set out in these rules reserved for the Institute, in General Meetings, shall be managed by the Management Committee.
11.1.3 The President shall be empowered to open bank accounts in the name of the Institute and all transactions in these accounts shall be authorised by the Management Committee and the President, the Treasurer or at least one other officer or such other person as may be authorised by the Management Committee, shall have the power to write cheques and withdraw funds for the Institutes accounts.
11.1.4 Subject to the authority of the President the Treasurer shall also have responsibility for the finances of the Institute and shall monitor actual receipts and payments made against approved budgets. The Treasurer shall receive all monies made to the Institute and shall ensure that all such sums are lodged to the Institutes bank account as soon as practicable.

11.2 Membership of the Management Committee
11.2.1 Membership of the Management Committee of the Institute shall consist of the following the President, Secretary, Treasurer and seven Ordinary Members.
11.2.2 Officers of the Institute shall consist of the President, Secretary and Treasurer.
11.2.3 The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Institute. The Secretary shall keep full and correct minutes of the proceedings of the Management Committee, of all General Meeting and of all Academic Board meetings.

11.3 Election Procedures
11.3.1 Subject to the terms of clause 9.2 above the President, Secretary, Treasurer and five Members shall be elected.
11.3.2 Nomination for Officers and Management Committee accompanied by a declaration of the nominees consent must be made in writing and must reach the Secretary ten days before the Annual General Meeting.
11.3.3 All candidates for the Management Committee shall be proposed and seconded by Ordinary Members of the Academic Board and elected by ballot. In the event that there are more candidates for the Management Committee then there are vacancies a secret ballot shall be held at the Annual General Meeting by the Chairperson. If insufficient nominations are received, the Management Committee elected, shall at its first meeting, co-opt members to fulfil the vacancies.
11.3.4 Officers shall be elected for a term of five years and may be re-elected for a further term of five year. Members of the Management Committee shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.
11..3.5 Any Officer of the Management Committee may vacate his office by resigning upon giving one month written notice of such resignation to the secretary or by the action of the Annual or Special General Meeting of the Institute. The Management Committee must, however, fill any such vacancy as soon as possible. Should a Member of the Management Committee resign during his period of office, the Management Committee may operate notwithstanding that there be such a vacancy or vacancies.

11.4 Meetings of the Management Committee
11.4.1 The Management Committee shall meet on at least two occasions in the year at intervals of not more than six months and four Members thereof shall form a quorum. The President shall have a casting vote in addition to his own vote and his decision on a Point of Order shall be final.

12. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
12.1 The Management Committee shall be empowered to make, amends and\or rescind Rules as the need arises for the general regulation of the Institute. Rules can be amended or set side by a two thirds vote at a General or Annual General Meeting.
12.2 The Management Committee shall be responsible for providing secretarial support to the Academic Board. Moreover the Management Committee shall when requested provide any additional support as may reasonably be requested by the Academic Board from time to time.

13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
13.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Institute shall be held in June of each year at which the following business will be transacted:-
13.1.2 Receiving of secretarial and financial reports;
13.1.3 For the alteration or amendment to any of those rules;
13.1.4 Notice of any motion proposed to be moved at an Annual General Meeting shall be given in writing to the Secretary not less than fourteen days before the meeting.
13.1.5 Election of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Management Committee Members shall be by ballot. Postal or electronic (email) voting shall be allowed. Postal and electronic votes must be received by the Secretary five days before the Annual General Meeting.
13.1.6 If the two thirds of Members present wish the question under discussion to be put to the vote by ballot, that mode of voting shall be adopted, otherwise decision should be taken by a show of hands.
13.1.7 Twenty one days' notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to each Member entitled to attend and vote at such meetings and a copy of the financial report shall accompany such notice.
13.1.8 Questions on the financial reports should be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
13.1.9 The President of the Management Committee shall be nominated by the Chairperson of such meeting. In his absence the President shall be nominated by the Management Committee. Only Ordinary Members shall be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
13.1.10 The quorum for the Annual General Meeting is one third of the total number of Members entitled to vote.
13.1.11 Except as those rules provide otherwise, resolutions shall be passed by a two thirds majority.

14 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
14.1 Special General Meetings of the Institute may be called by the Management Committee or on a requisition to the Secretary signed by least twenty seven of the Ordinary Membership stating the business to be brought forward.
14.2 No business shall be transacted at such meetings except that specified in the requisition for such meetings or contained in the Agenda issued by the Secretary. One week's notice at least of a Special General Meeting shall be given to each Member of the Institute. Voting shall be as provided under these rules. It shall not be competent to re-open any matter disposed of at a Special General Meeting until a period of six months shall have a lapsed, or at the Annual General Meeting, if held within that period.
14.3 The quorum for a Special General Meeting is half of the total number of Members entitled to vote.
14.4 Except as those rules provide otherwise, motions that a Special General Meeting shall be passed by a simple majority.

15. INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES
15.1  The Rules set out in this document shall be the laws of the Institute and shall not be altered except by way of resolution at an Special Meeting provided the resolution is carried by a two third majority of the Ordinary Members.
15.2 All questions as to the interpretation of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee whose decision shall be final.

16. DISSOLUTION
16.1 The Institute may be dissolved:-
16.1.1 By a resolution passed at a Special General Meeting, specifically called for that purpose and carried out by a majority of two third of the Members present.
16.1.2 By a resolution of two thirds of the Academic Council if the number of Members is less then (4) for a period of not less than two years.

16. DATA PROTECTION
Members consent to the Institute obtaining, recording, holding and retaining their personal data solely for the Institute purposes, either on its computer or in its manual filing system, and the consent to the use of all such data, including its disclosure to third-parties, for the proper and effective management of the Institute.

17 COMPLAINTS, SUSPENSION AND EXPLUSION
17.1 All complaints shall be made to the President of the Management Committee in writing, who if unable to resolve the complaint, will submit the complaint to the Academic Council and their decision thereon shall be final.
17.2 Should the conduct of any member in any category of membership either in the Institute or elsewhere be deem to be injurious to the Institute, a Disciplinary Sub- Committee of the Academic Council comprising of at least 3 members of the Academic Council and the President of the Management Committee shall, having first made known in writing the nature of the allegations to the offending member, call upon such member to give an explanation in writing within seven days. If any such member having been called upon fails to give such an explanation or if the explanation so given shall be deemed to be unsatisfactory, the Disciplinary Sub-Committee may suspend such member for a definite stated period from the Institute or request such a member to resign. Should the member fail to resign he shall stand suspended sine die.
17.3 An appeal against a decision or ruling of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee under rule 17.2 may be taken by the member concerned to a special meeting of the Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committee of the Academic Council which shall be called by the President of the Management Committee for a date no more than one calendar month after receipt of such an appeal. Such appeal must be made by way of writing by the member to the President of the Management Committee within one week of the decision of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. The Disciplinary Appeal Sub-Committee shall comprise of at least three members of the Academic Council. Members of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee can not sit as member of the Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committee. A member who appeals a decision of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee can request an oral hearing before the Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committee.